SEASON PREVIEW. College Basketball '96-97.

Loyola Wants To Keep Foes On The Run

It took three years before Gary Barnett's battle cry, "Expect Victory," kicked into reality for the Northwestern football team.

The third year may also be the charm for Loyola basketball coach Ken Burmeister and his slogan, "Fast Break on the Lake."

Burmeister realized the up-tempo potential of his third Ramblers team just five minutes into its first scrimmage of the season in the new 5,300-seat Gentile Center on campus.

Grinning as though his team had just won the Midwestern Collegiate Conference title, Burmeister pointed to the 15-10 score on the scoreboard. "Two years ago," he said, "the score five minutes into our first scrimmage was 4-2!

"We'd like to run," Burmeister said, "because (MCC) teams often hold the ball longer and play not to lose."

The 1996-97 Ramblers have the players for the fast-break game. Six-foot-8-inch Javan Goodman and 6-7 Donyale Bush can rip down rebounds, fire outlet passes and trigger the break. Four returning regulars will play together a second straight year: 6-4 forward Charles Smith, 6-4 sharpshooter Derek Molis, Goodman and Bush.

At point guard, Burmeister plans to alternate two newcomers: Earl Brown, a slender, slick-passing freshman from De La Salle, and Dominic Okon, a superb defensive player from Three Rivers (Mo.) Junior College and Lagos, Nigeria.

The "sixth man" for the 1996-97 Ramblers may be the new gym and the partisan crowds expected to fill it.

"It's one of the best teaching facilities in the country," said Burmeister. "Our players are showing more pep and feeling first class from practicing in it."